Easter Dog Activities and Safety

Are you planning for a visit from the Easter Bunny this year? Here are a few ways to keep your beloved pup safe during this holiday. Many favored Easter treats can be incredibly dangerous for our dogs, so planning is crucial. 

We’re here to share some dog Easter basket ideas to help you include your pup in the celebrations. Here’s what you need to know about keeping your dog safe during Easter. 

Easter Food is Not for Dogs

First things first, don’t share your meal with your dogs. Some of the most commonly made foods on Easter include deviled eggs, ham, cookies and cakes, and chocolates and candy. These can all be incredibly harmful and even life-threatening to your pet. Be mindful of foods prepared with onions, garlic, or xylitol, as these ingredients are toxic to dogs.

If you plan to have guests over for Easter, be mindful of where people place the food they’ve brought and keep it out of reach of curious pets’ tongues. You don’t want your pup taste-testing something they shouldn’t!

Prohibited Easter Meals for Dogs

Here’s a list of common Easter foods and treats that you should keep out of reach of your dog:

• Chocolate Easter eggs

• Sugar-free sweets

• Cooked bones

• Garlic & onions

• Synthetic Easter eggs

• Flowers & bulbs (like daffodils, tulips, and lilies)

• Hot cross buns (especially if they contain dried fruit)

• Skins from cooked meats

• Gravy

Safe Easter Meals for Dogs

Looking for some safe foods to feed your dog this Easter? Here are a few options that are safe for your canine companion:

• Spring veggies

• Broccoli

• Green beans

• Carrots

• Sweet potatoes

• Roasted lamb (only when the skin & bones are removed!)

• Raw or cooked eggs, in moderation

So long as none of these foods have been cooked with garlic, or onions, or other seasonings, they can be safe to share with your pup! 

Make It a Dog-Safe Space

Here are a few tips to create a dog-safe space during Easter celebrations. 

Watch Your Glass

Often, families like to enjoy a drink, especially if you’re planning an Easter brunch. Alcohol is toxic to dogs, so it’s important to make sure your dog doesn’t have a sip (or a lick!) 

Guests and family members should not leave glasses anywhere your dog can reach them, such as on the floor or a low coffee table. 

Avoid Easter Lilies

Another common way to celebrate Easter is to bring your host a floral arrangement or gift, which often includes Easter lilies, tulips, or daffodils. While beautiful, Easter lilies shouldn’t be brought into homes with pets. These plants are highly toxic to cats and dogs and can cause kidney failure. 

Dog Easter Baskets

Looking for a safe way to involve your dog in Easter fun? Consider making your dog their own Easter basket! This can become a great brain game for your dog as they work to open their Easter basket (with appropriate supervision). 

Dog Easter Basket Ideas

What to put in your doggy Easter basket? The list below contains safe Easter gifts for dogs:

• A new Easter bandana or collar

• Themed Easter dog toys like squeaky or chew toys

• Dog-safe treats or cookies

Slide a dog DNA test into your dog Easter basket and brace for giggles as your family bets on your pup's breeds. It's a gift that keeps on giving, offering personalized insights to cater to the dog's health and happiness. Easter just got a whole lot more interesting! 

Dog-Friendly Egg Hunt

If creating Easter baskets for dogs isn’t your thing, there are other ways to involve your pet in the holiday! A dog-safe Easter egg hunt can be a great way to include your pet in the festivities. 

Start by hiding various small pieces of your dog's favorite treats or their favorite toys around in your house (or your fenced-in yard). Once you’ve hidden the treats, encourage your pup to start searching! Don’t forget to praise your dog’s hard work each time they find a hidden treat! 

You could also opt for hiding treats inside plastic eggs, but keep track of where all the eggs are hidden and watch your dog as they search. This way, you don’t have to worry about your dog consuming any plastic eggs, and you can open each egg for your furry friend as they find it!

Keep The Eggs All-Natural

An even better alternative, southernliving.com recommends keeping the eggs all-natural. Cooked eggs are high in protein and amino acids and can be excellent sources of nutrients for dogs, so you can hard-boil some eggs and hide them for your pup to find! Keep track of where you hide them because fewer things are worse than losing an egg and finding it later when it starts to smell! 

Remember, there is a limit to how many eggs your dog should eat in a day, so be mindful of their egg intake and try to limit it to one or two. 

Plastic Eggs - Considerations and Safety Measures

If you choose to use plastic eggs, here are a few tips to keep the Easter holiday fun and stress-free for you and your pet! 

Keep a close eye on your dog as they search for the treat-stuffed eggs. Once your dog sniffs an egg, you can open it so they can avoid chewing on the plastic and potentially ingesting it. 

If you have multiple dogs, it’s best to set up an “egg hunt” for one dog at a time. This will reduce the risk of losing sight of one of your dogs and prevent conflicts like resource guarding or bullying between the dogs. 

Chocolate is Dog’s Poison

While chocolate may be a staple ingredient in Easter holiday celebrations, be sure to keep it away from your dog! Kids’ egg hunts should be kept separate from dogs' eggs to avoid potential mix-ups. Don’t forget to carefully search the area of leftover wrappers and chocolate remnants to prevent your dog from eating chocolate. 

Have Fun at the Party with Your Dog

Does your dog have other puppy friends? Invite the neighborhood dogs for a little doggie meet-up or an “egg-hunting” session – just be mindful of the tips we shared above! 

Creating a safe environment for your beloved dog this Easter is possible – it just takes a little patience and preparation! With a little prep, you can enjoy this holiday with your family and dog while keeping everyone safe and healthy!

Frequently Asked Questions

What toys do you put in an Easter basket for a dog?

Consider including dog-friendly toys, such as plush toys, chew toys, or interactive toys, to keep your furry friend entertained. 

Are Easter lilies poisonous to cats and dogs?

Yes, Easter lilies are extremely toxic to cats and dogs and can cause serious health issues if ingested, so it’s best to keep them out of reach.

How to do an Easter egg hunt for dogs?

Hide dog-friendly treats inside plastic eggs and scatter them around your yard or home for a fun, sniff-and-find adventure.

How to make Easter treats for dogs?

Mix peanut butter, pumpkin puree, and whole wheat flour, cut them into festive shapes, and bake until crispy for a homemade, holiday snack.